BHRDCA 2024-25: The players set to shape Ray McIntosh Shield finals

It’s almost finals time in the Box Hill Reporter District Cricket Association’s top-flight and spots remain up for grabs. We’ve named the players who could shape the race …

It’s almost finals time in the Box Hill Reporter District Cricket Association’s top-flight and spots remain up for grabs.

We’ve named the players, in alphabetical order, who could shape the finals race and the fight for the flag in the Ray McIntosh Shield …

Arun Chelvan (Glen Waverley Hawks)

The Hawks may be near the foot of the table, but the experienced all-rounder could well throw a spanner in the works of sides’ finals hopes in the lead-up. Currently second in the Ray McIntosh Shield for wickets with 27 at 17.78 – a haul of 6-42 against a finals-bound Blackburn in Round 1 was followed by 5-38 in an innings against Kerrimuir United. The Hawks have Mitcham (sixth) and Forest Hill (fifth) in their final three matches – and with the two sides still vying for a top-four spot, their hopes could well hinge on the bowling fortunes of Chelvan.

Ben Torney (Kerrimuir United)

The former Richmond cricketer has fired with 18 wickets at 25 – but his performances against finals-bound sides stand out, with bags of three each against Box Hill North and Vermont South. A premiership player with the Tigers at Premier level in 2011-12, there’s no doubting the Muirs’ captain can make a splash when it counts.

Charles Erasmus (Forest Hill)

The Zebras’ stalwart sits second for runs with 367 at 40, driving four half-centuries – including a knock of 87 against Glen Waverley. He’s also collected eight wickets. No stranger to finals success.

Conor Spinks (Blackburn)

The left-arm opener is enjoying another big season, taking a comp-leading 27 wickets at 12.85 with five-fors against Vermont South and Kerrimuir United.

Cohen McElroy (Forest Hill)

The ex-Ringwood and Lysterfield man sits third for runs overall with 391 at 43 – including knocks of 94 against Koonung Heights and 80 against Vermont South as the Zebras sit just outside the top four.

Vermont South's Zach Flintoff in action.

Declan Vermaak (Kerrimuir United)

Three half-centuries and a best of 123 tell the tale for the top-order bat, smashing 388 runs (fourth overall) so far to help his team into third spot. And he’s bettered last season’s return in the Howard Wilson Shield, which yielded 210 at 26.

Hamish Curnow (Mitcham)

Hasn’t hit a ton yet this season, but he’s plundered three half-centuries on the way to a return of 364 runs (ranked seventh), averaging 45. His biggest showing has been against a finals-bound Kerrimuir with 61, while he’s also unbeaten in his past two outings with the Tigers still a top-four chance.

Karanvir Singh (Glen Waverley Hawks)

The top-order Hawk is comfortably leading the pack for runs scored, with 561 – including consecutive centuries against Kerrimuir United (132) and Box Hill Super Kings (109) earlier this season. Like teammate Arun Chelvan, he too could influence the finals fates of the teams he meets in the run home.

Kaushal Lokuarachchi (Box Hill North Super Kings)

The leg-break bowler and former Sri Lankan cricketer is putting together a consistent season, starring with 21 wickets at 18.33, while he’s also tipped in 253 runs.

Lewis Moulton (Kerrimuir United)

The UK import has slotted into the Kerrimuir line-up without hassle, claiming 19 wickets at 15.84 as an opening bowler (ranked fourth in the competition). From Leek Cricket Club in the Cheshire league, he hasn’t missed a beat, taking a scalp in each of his matches, including a combined eight in the past three.

Lewis Moulton has arrived to great success from the UK. Picture: Supplied

Matthew Bright (Vermont South)

The ex-Fitzroy Doncaster man is on the way to surpassing last year’s run-total of 438, with 356 so far. The opener’s season has been highlighted by an unbeaten 111 against Mitcham.

Ruwan Perera (Box Hill North Super Kings)

Leading the ladder-topping team for wickets taken with 19 wickets at 18.74 (ranked fifth in the competition), the Sri Lankan and right-arm medium fast bowler has twice claimed bags of four to help his side to another finals berth.

Shehan Kudage-Don (Blackburn)

He hasn’t featured since Round 8, but the Burners’ boom recruit has fired in his new colours since crossing from Vermont, peeling off 357 runs at 51 – including 106 against Vermont South. Last season he smashed three centuries and four half-centuries on the way to 739 runs – averaging 49 – while also collecting 12 wickets. Could be an ace for the Burners if he returns.

Uddeepa Weeraratna (Box Hill North Super Kings)

Potent and bat and ball, the Super Kings’ leading run-scorer has 382 at 34.73 – highlighted by unbeaten 91 against Koonung Heights, while he’s also claimed 10 wickets.

Zach Flintoff (Vermont South)

Returning after three seasons with Premier club Ringwood, the former Vultures captain has 363 runs at 45.38 which has him perched in the top-ten, boasting knocks of 125 against a handy Forest Hill and 108 against second-placed Blackburn. He also has nine wickets.